Steve Cohen, secretary to the governor, will be replaced by Larry Schwartz. Cohen, considered a calming presence in the administration, will return to private law practice. Schwartz held the position at the end of Gov. David Paterson’s administration. (DN/TU)

“Schwartz, who has worked for county executives in Suffolk and Westchester counties, was referred by lobbyists and lawmakers as the “acting governor” during the last year or so of the Paterson administration.” (BN)

Danny Hakim: “The instant he took over, there was a sense that there was a grown-up in the room, that decisions were going to get made,” said Peter Kauffmann, who served as communications director for part of Mr. Paterson’s tenure. “Larry Schwartz was the guy that kept state government functioning, at least the executive branch.”//But Mr. Schwartz has also had an often contentious relationship with the Legislature.//“I don’t think Larry has a deep admiration for legislative bodies,” said Richard Brodsky, a former Westchester Assemblyman who praised Mr. Schwartz for his competence, but said negotiations with him could be rough.//“I did employ a broad and pungent vocabulary,” Mr. Brodsky said. “So did he.” (NYT)

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand wants to make it easier for returning veterans to get jobs. (TU)

“In some ways, they both are successful. They got extraordinary things done,” said Baruch College poli-sci Professor Doug Muzzio of Cuomo and NJ Gov. Chris Christie. “Cuomo does it with a scalpel…Christie does it with a chainsaw.” (NYP)